On January 24, the Men of Color Read initiative was launched in Kent County, and we couldn't be happier. Over 25 men met at the Martin Luther King Leadership Academy to read to small groups of children. They kids loved it... and so did we!
Jon Covington founded Men of Color Read (MOCR) in Los Angeles over a decade ago. The program came to Muskegon five years ago, and now found a home in Grand Rapids. Men of Color Read is a literacy initiative comprised of men in the community determined to help eradicate functional illiteracy and improve youth reading skills. The men visit urban schools once a month to read to and connect with students.
“We couldn’t be more excited about our partnership with KDL," said Covington. "Functional illiteracy in any community is not a THEIR problem, it’s an OUR problem. And it’s going to take all of us to eradicate it.”
KDL is pleased to support the partnership between MOCR and MLK Leadership Academy. We are hoping to help expand the program into other schools in Kent County.
“We dream, plan and execute not FOR our community but WITH our community, because we are who we serve," said Sara Proano, Community Engagement Manager. "KDL strives to come beside leaders and shakers, such as Jon Covington, and support their efforts for better access, better presence and better representation. Thank you MLK Leadership Academy and MOCR!”
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